Sponsors (3)
Creates two competitive HHS grant programs (one for midwifery institutions, one for schools of nursing) to fund students, program expansion, and preceptor support with $35M authorized for FY2026–2030.
Official title: To address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 3, 2025 by Ashley Hinson · Last progress December 3, 2025
The bill increases training capacity and financial support to grow the midwifery workforce—especially for underserved communities—but its modest funding level and prescriptive allocation rules limit nationwide impact and create potential exclusions and administrative burdens.
Rural and low-income communities (and hospitals serving them) could see improved access to maternity care because the bill funds expansion of midwifery training and prioritizes placements in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Students in accredited midwifery and nurse‑midwifery programs will receive direct financial and training support, reducing tuition and other barriers to completing education.
Students and clinical sites will gain faster access to clinical placements because funding supports recruitment and preparation of qualified preceptors, expanding training capacity and shortening time to graduation.
Taxpayers and programs face only modest federal funding (authorizations noted at $15M and $20M over five years across sections), meaning limited national impact, many programs may remain unfunded, and offsets or deficit increases may be required.
Schools and state grant administrators will have reduced flexibility because the bill prescribes fixed funding allocations (e.g., 50/25/25) and other mandated splits, limiting the ability to shift funds in response to changing local demand.
Students and existing programs based in schools of nursing could be excluded from eligibility if the bill prohibits funding for midwifery programs within nursing schools, slowing scale-up and disrupting established training pathways.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates two new competitive grant programs at HHS to increase the number of trained midwives and certified nurse‑midwives. One program funds institutions of higher education to support students in accredited midwifery schools/programs, build or expand midwifery programs, and grow preceptor capacity; the other provides matching grant authority for schools of nursing to support accredited nurse‑midwifery students, programs, and preceptors. Both programs prioritize training clinicians who commit to practice in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas and institutions that recruit and retain rural and economically disadvantaged students. The bill authorizes a total of $35 million for FY2026–FY2030 ($15M for midwifery schools/programs and $20M for nurse‑midwifery through schools of nursing) with formula allocations for student support, program expansion, and preceptor support.